Telephone Call Processors

Call Processors

Call Processors are also known as "Automated Attendants". They're the "Press 1 for So-and-so"
messages you get when you make a call. Typical applications for the University are to route
calls that are made to your main number to the various members of your staff without having to
go through a live receptionist, and possibly take care of some frequently asked questions that
can be answered without the need to talk to someone.

Call Processors are a part of the Voicemail system. The simplest Call Processor is built into
every Voicemail box. It's called your "Personal Operator" and it can be configured when you first
get your account or anytime thereafter. Your Personal Operator is an option you can give callers
when they reach your voicemail. During your personal greeting they can press "0" and the system
will call whatever number you've asked us to assign as your Personal Operator. An example would be, "You've
reached me, but I can't take your call right now. You can press 0 to be transferred to the front desk or leave a
message after the beep".

Personal Operators are free but available to Departmental accounts only. Only under very special
circumstances will Telecommunications allow an off-campus number as your Personal Operator.

The more elaborate Call Processors are also available to Departments only. They can be used as
the personal greeting of your current voicemail account or for your main number without an actual
phone connected to them.

If used for your personal greeting your message would say something like, "I can't take your call
right now but you can press 1 for Harry or 2 for Sally or stay on the line and leave me a message
after the beep".

If used as a main number, your caller would hear something like, "This is the XYZ department, please
select an option from the menu. Press 1 for this person doing this job, press 2 for this person
doing this job". Normally these Call Processors will transfer to a number you choose if the person
waits and doesn't do anything or doesn't have a touch-tone phone: "Stay on the line and you will be
transferred to the main desk". If your intention is just to provide information then it can be set
to hang up after the message is finished.

Call Processors take the same space on the system as a Voicemail box, and the charge is the same, $2.00
a month. If you need extra Call Processors ("Press 9 for more options"), then there is an
additional $2.00 a month charge for those also.

If you're interested in a Call Processor, think of what you want it to say and write it all down.
Telecommunications can go from there with the programming. You will be responsible for the recordings,
but we'll guide you through the setup. Your Call Processor will have a Security Code only you know
just like a Voicemail box, and you can access it from your phone if you ever need to change the message.